Indefinite school closures. No play dates. Organized sports canceled. As parents and children across the country have settled into a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic, planning to the summer is uncertain too with the fate of camps in flux. As we slowly open Florida back up for business, the overwhelming concern among parents as they get back to work is how will their children be taken care of and engaged for the next several months. Answering that call is Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County (BGCSLC). In partnership with the MIDFLORIDA Event Center and the City of Port St. Lucie, camp will be in full swing beginning the week of May 11, 2020.
Following strict guidelines, BGCSLC will be taking over 28,000 sq. ft. of the MIDFLORIDA Event Center and transforming it into themed mini Clubs to ensure the utmost safety and the ability to offer fun and educational programs to kids from kindergarten through high school. From recycling projects and sewing classes to film making and fitness, the team at BGCSLC has created a curriculum that even most adults would want to participate in. The Club is offered 5 days week from 7:30 am to 6 pm and parents can register at www.bgcofslc.org.
The first six weeks of Boys & Girls Clubs Camp-a-Thon costs just $25 per week per child. “We know families are financially stretched now. Parents want to go back to work knowing their kids are in a safe and fun place,” said Will Armstead, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County. “Because our organization received federal CARE ACT funding through Seacoast Bank we can invest back into our community. Thanks to the partnership with the City of Port St. Lucie and many generous donors who’ve invested in Boys & Girls Club, we can give parents a much-needed financial break,” he added.
We are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County to provide programs that are responsive to our community, said Linda McCarthy, Director, MIDFLORIDA Event Center.“
Campers ages 6-18 will participate in a variety of activities and programs including Brain Gain, Arts & Crafts, music and dance while adhering to CDC COVIC-19 safety guidelines. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Teen members will organize a mini play called “All things Covid,” which will include the timeline of Covid-19 from how it started and leave the audience with a cliffhanger given the unknown of when it will end. The skit will show things like, how it spread, COVID symptoms, how the country was affected, and end in positive quotes/saying to live by. This will be the last week, wrapping everything we they and they learned.
“We look forward to seeing our Club members in person and opening the Club to some new youth as well.” stated Melanie Wiles, COO of BGCSLC. The goal of the Club is to offer scholarships when needed and continue to look for local donations to keep camp costs affordable for families and continue to reach more youth during this time of need. For more information on how you can support the Club’s COVID efforts toward camp visit https://bgcslc.rocks/covidrelief or call 772-460-9918.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth a path to success for every young person who walks through our doors, and that every Club member graduates from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship and living healthy lifestyles. The Club enables all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
With 20 locations throughout the county, Boys & Girls Clubs programs serve a diverse group of kids from grades K-12. We serve 15,000 youth throughout the year from a variety of backgrounds. We invite you to be part of something wonderful as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary with a campaign to provide world-class clubs, life-enriching programs and improved transportation to access these opportunities outside their neighborhoods. Please see for yourself by taking a tour of an area club by calling (772) 460-9918 or visiting www.bgcofslc.org or at www.facebook.com/bgcofslc.
